*'''January 2014: Solar cooking works with solar lighting to help families save money''' - [[Stephen Pearson]], founder of [[SUN-LIFE]], has been a long time advocate of solar cooking. He has helped citizens in [[Ghana]] save on cooking fuel expense by learning to use the [[CooKit]] solar cooker. He devised a method for fabricating the [[solar panel cooker]] from separate smaller pieces of cardboard. The cookers can now be constructed for very little money using discarded materials. His new goal is to further help these families reduce their kerosene usage by offering a low cost portable lamp to replace their fuel-burning lanterns. The new [http://www.minisun12h.org MiniSun12H] lamp has an integrated photovoltaic panel to recharge the lamp during the day. The projected retail price for the lamp is $5 USD. His reasoning is; if a family can save on cooking fuel using the CooKit, then they will have enough money to be able to buy the new lamp. Using both approaches, the families should be able to save $50-100 USD on kerosene expense annually. Money is saved, and [[indoor air pollution]] is reduced. You can help him with this project by supporting his efforts at [http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/goodbye-dangerous-kerosene-hello-safe-solar-minisun12h Indiegogo] fund raising. You can learn about the new lamp in this short [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7-vhlAefeU video].

* '''May 2010:''' The [[SUN-LIFE]] sponsored Oven Festival was recently held in the Dangme East area of [[Ghana]] (80 miles east of Accra). Quite well attended, there were about sixty ovens on display, all locally made using the [[CooKit]] design. The oven components were salvaged and recycled from local materials. Only the aluminum foil, at a cost of $2/oven, needed to be purchased. The event was held in collaboration with the [[Community Directed Development Foundation]], started by Professor Bosompem. [[Stephen Pearson]] was the only European present. Other guests included representatives from several government ministries. The festivities began with a procession of local "oven ladies" led by the local brass band. After introductions and speeches, there were competitions and prizes awarded for best oven, best recipes, best group, etc.

* '''May 2010:''' The [[SUN-LIFE]] sponsored Oven Festival was recently held in the Dangme East area of [[Ghana]] (80 miles east of Accra). Quite well attended, there were about sixty ovens on display, all locally made using the [[CooKit]] design. The oven components were salvaged and recycled from local materials. Only the aluminum foil, at a cost of $2/oven, needed to be purchased. The event was held in collaboration with the [[Community Directed Development Foundation]], started by Professor Bosompem. [[Stephen Pearson]] was the only European present. Other guests included representatives from several government ministries. The festivities began with a procession of local "oven ladies" led by the local brass band. After introductions and speeches, there were competitions and prizes awarded for best oven, best recipes, best group, etc.

SUN-LIFE Is an NGO founded by Stephen Pearson, by building on his earlier experiences introducing solar cooking in Ghana. The focus has been producing low-cost cookers based on the CooKit design. Involvement of the local residents with the production of the cookers has provided a foundation for the success they have experienced in training and introducing others to solar cooking.

Contents

News and Recent Developments

January 2014: Solar cooking works with solar lighting to help families save money - Stephen Pearson, founder of SUN-LIFE, has been a long time advocate of solar cooking. He has helped citizens in Ghana save on cooking fuel expense by learning to use the CooKit solar cooker. He devised a method for fabricating the solar panel cooker from separate smaller pieces of cardboard. The cookers can now be constructed for very little money using discarded materials. His new goal is to further help these families reduce their kerosene usage by offering a low cost portable lamp to replace their fuel-burning lanterns. The new MiniSun12H lamp has an integrated photovoltaic panel to recharge the lamp during the day. The projected retail price for the lamp is $5 USD. His reasoning is; if a family can save on cooking fuel using the CooKit, then they will have enough money to be able to buy the new lamp. Using both approaches, the families should be able to save $50-100 USD on kerosene expense annually. Money is saved, and indoor air pollution is reduced. You can help him with this project by supporting his efforts at Indiegogo fund raising. You can learn about the new lamp in this short video.

May 2010: The SUN-LIFE sponsored Oven Festival was recently held in the Dangme East area of Ghana (80 miles east of Accra). Quite well attended, there were about sixty ovens on display, all locally made using the CooKit design. The oven components were salvaged and recycled from local materials. Only the aluminum foil, at a cost of $2/oven, needed to be purchased. The event was held in collaboration with the Community Directed Development Foundation, started by Professor Bosompem. Stephen Pearson was the only European present. Other guests included representatives from several government ministries. The festivities began with a procession of local "oven ladies" led by the local brass band. After introductions and speeches, there were competitions and prizes awarded for best oven, best recipes, best group, etc.